The world's first bionic fingers were unveiled today after a set invented by a British firm was fitted to a former concert pianist.

Maria Antonia Iglesias, 42, who lost all her fingers after suffering pneumococcal septic shock in 2003, can write, use cutlery and hold a glass again.

Ms Iglesias, from Catalonia, said: "The benefit of my new hand is like a dream. Even a simple thing like holding a glass of water was impossible before, but now I can do it easily."

The technology is known as ProDigits and was developed by Touch Bionics, based in West Lothian. It costs between £35,000 and £40,000 per hand.

Those fitted with the device can bend the fingers, touch, pick up and point. Bionic hands with fingers attached are already in use. But scientists say this is the first time a device has been made just for people with missing fingers.

It is put on like a glove, and is custom-made so patients with a few or all fingers missing can benefit. The fingers are controlled by sensors which register muscle signals. They can also be controlled by a pressure sensitive pad.

A special feature allows the device to detect when it has closed around an object so that it does not crush it. Phil Newman of Touch Bionics said: "There has been no solution like this. Pro-Digits have returned people to a level of functionality and independence."